Secretariat an option for Permian after unlucky French defeat

Permian is to be vaccinated in readiness for a possible trip to the United States for the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington on August 12 following Friday night's agonising defeat in the Group 1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at Saint-Cloud.

However, trainer Mark Johnston is ruling nothing out – and that includes the King George and Juddmonte International.

Neither Johnston nor jockey William Buick could quite believe the splendid Teofilo colt had been beaten by Shakeel in the Bastille Day showpiece, for he was in front before and after the line. Even Christophe Soumillon, who was aboard Shakeel, was convinced Permian had won.

Johnston reflected on Saturday: "The result was hard to believe, and William was convinced he had won. Looking at the photo his head is well in front of Soumillon's, and so are his shoulders. Soumillon even looked back at him and said, 'Well done', but somehow Shakeel had his nose in front on the post.

"It's frustrating they don't give dead-heats when it's that close, but it was another great run and showed he belongs in that class."

Buick confirmed: "We all thought we'd won, and so did Christophe. I always thought I was in the right place going the right pace and Permian won the race everywhere bar the line. He was in front before and after, and it was just bad luck. I gave him a pat after the line so he probably thinks he won.

"He deserved a pat anyway, he's a very gutsy and straightforward horse."

Looking ahead, Johnston said: "The Secretariat is certainly a serious consideration and he's being vaccinated as soon as he's home. It's a race that can stand out as an opportunity missed, except by Aidan O'Brien [four wins since 2000], but while he couldn't do that and York, nothing's being ruled out. We'll keep all options on the table, including the King George and Juddmonte."

Shakeel's success comes less than a fortnight after Zarak's victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, and trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre will have plenty of thinking to do over the summer before the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe plans become clear.

"It's not easy to say what we'll do with the two of them now, we'll have to see how they come out of it," said de Royer-Dupre. "It's a great pleasure because for a while I didn't know whether there was a Group 1 three-year-old in the yard this year.

"Shakeel was a bit disappointing to begin with but he's a very supple horse with a magnificent action. The race was run at a decent pace, which was a real advantage for him, and he really showed his class. Previously he hasn't had that pace to run at, but he was always in a good spot and the jockey, as always, was excellent."

That jockey, Soumillon, said: "The advantage is that Shakeel has a big head and a long neck!"

Counting 'local' Group 1s in Singapore and Hong Kong, and two over hurdles, Shakeel was Soumillon's 100th Group/Grade 1 victory.

Venice Beach fared the best of the Aidan O'Brien trio in third, with Seamie Heffernan reporting: "Soumillon arrived on my inside with loads of horse and was away but it was a good run by mine."

The Ryan Moore-ridden Orderofthegarter finished seventh, with Padraig Beggy-partnered Spanish Steps last of the nine runners.

Result and analysis